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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Antony Thrower

Matt Hancock seen playing 2p slot machine with his children on Welsh pier

Matt Hancock has been spotted looking calm and relaxed as he played on a 2p slot machine during a visit to Wales this weekend.

The ex-Health Secretary looked like he had left all of the stresses of his previous role behind him as he played the traditional game on Llandudno ’s historic pier.

Wearing a grey mask, which matched his turtle neck jumper under a coat, the 43-year-old went virtually unrecognised by many of the other people enjoying their day out.

In September 2020 he had warned Britain was at a “tipping point” as the country lurched towards a second lockdown.

But yesterday it was only two pence pieces teetering on the edge of potential danger as Matt played with family.

Another visitor to the arcade told North Wales Live the West Suffolk MP was left alone to play the slot machine.

The pier is known for its "splendid Victorian and Edwardian elegance" (Hadyn Iball / North Wales Live)

He added many people may simply have not recognised him.

Last year the Tory angered the Welsh Government when during his former role he suggested Wales’ successful vaccination programme was only possible as England kept a stockpile.

Giving evidence to the Science and Technology Committee about coronavirus, the MP said: “I would argue that the vaccination programme demonstrates that the union saves lives and in the case of Wales, the union has helped Wales to have one of the fastest vaccination programmes in the world and I wish them every luck in the delivery of it."

Matt Hancock stepped down as Health Secretary in June 2021 (Getty Images)

The Welsh Government later angrily retorted: "The success of our world-leading vaccine programme is a result of excellent planning and the sheer hard work of vaccine teams around Wales.

It is wrong to suggest we're reliant on an “English buffer” - we have our own – we are simply more efficient at using it.”

Matt Hancock resigned from his former role in June 2021 when he admitted he had “no choice” after footage emerged of him kissing Gina Coladangelo at the Department of Health's London HQ in a blatant breach of Covid rules.

He had initially tried to cling on to the cabinet role and was replaced by Sajid Javid.

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